[Bob Russell]

For those of you with privacy concerns...

It looks like eReader.com is very careful to guard their DRM, but they are very UNcareful about your privacy. I bought a couple of books from them and they gave me instructions that said to read it, I have to enter my name as it appears on my credit card AND I have to enter my FULL credit card number on the PDA.

That means that the book file itself contains my credit card number. A good way to keep me from sharing it (so it protects their DRM concerns), but it sure makes me an unhappy customer. Not because I wanted to give the books to others, but I am very uncomfortable with them attaching that personal information to the book file. Especially when I was not giving a clear and prominent warning beforehand. I don't believe that's a good way to do business, and I plan to shop elsewhere next time. I'll even stick to Gutenberg books altogether if sellers of ebooks are intent on ruining the process for customers.

And, gee, I'm the target market, so I don't think they want to be alienating customers like me. That can't be good! When I have time I'll write customer service about it and let you know what they have to say.

Note: This was my experience for the purchase I made. I don't know if it applies to all books sold there. (Maybe it's the publisher that causes the problem for eReader and the customer.)

Update: I have contacted eReader, and they have satisfied all my privacy concerns so I'm a contented customer once more. See below for more info.